INTRODUCTION:
Formerly included in the Emberizidae family, the Many-colored Chaco-Finch is finally most closely allied to the tanagers in the Thraupidae family. This pretty bird is often hidden among foliage from where it watches at intruders.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BIRD:Biometrics:
Length: 16-18 cm
Weight: 20-25 g

The adult shows distinctive head pattern. The crown is pale brown, whereas the face is black from forehead, lores and cheeks to throat and neck sides. We can see a bold white posterior supercilium. Ear-coverts and head sides are pale grey. Chin and throat are whitish. There is a small white spot at base of lower mandible, and a white lower half of eyering.

The upperparts are pale brown washed olive, turning grey on lower back, rump and uppertail-coverts. The upperwing is brownish with greyish scapulars. Tertials and flight feathers are edged pale brown. The tail is relatively long, blackish with grey central pair of rectrices. The outer tail feathers are partially white and form white tail corners well visible in flight or from below.
On the underparts, the breast is grey, forming a greyish breast band. Breast sides and flanks are bright cinnamon, whereas belly, vent and undertail-coverts are whitish.

The yellow, conical bill is fairly thick at base, with convex blackish culmen. The eyes are dark brown. Legs and feet are dark too.

The female is similar but slightly duller, with reduced black facial mask.
The juvenile resembles female with paler plumage. It has blackish bill with yellowish cutting edges.

HABITAT:
The Many-colored Chaco-Finch frequents Chaco woodland, and can be common in grassy edges of scrub, woodland and fields, and along road edges too. It also occurs in more open parts and in shrubs. This species is mostly seen below 500 metres of elevation.

CALLS AND SONGS: SOUNDS BY XENO-CANTO
The Many-colored Chaco-Finch utters a dull sound “chup” or “chu-chup”, and high-pitched “swiip”.
The spiritless, persistent and repetitive song is a fast “weea-weea-weea”, usually repeated monotonously, through the heat of the day, while other birds’ species are resting in shade. It sings from prominent perches.

BEHAVIOUR IN THE WILD:
The Many-colored Chaco-Finch is mainly a seed-eater, but it also takes insects and fruits. This species forages and feeds mostly on the ground and in low vegetation.
Endemic to Chaco, this beautiful bird is usually found in pairs, but outside the breeding season, it occurs in small groups with other finches. If disturbed, it flushes up into low bushes.

During the breeding season, some displays can be observed, during which the black facial mask and the colours of the plumage are enhanced by appropriate movements.
The threat display “bill-tilting” or “head-up” enhances the contrasted black-and-white pattern of throat and foreneck. This behaviour is performed during territorial disputes, usually by birds of the same sex, often males. Both rivals are silent, with sleeked head and neck feathers while facing each other. They are monogamous.

The Many-colored Chaco-Finch is largely resident in its range. However, variations of numbers in N Bolivia may suggest partially migratory populations, probably according to food resources.
The long-distance flight is direct or slightly undulating. But the short flights performed in brushy and vegetated areas may appear laboured and floppy.

REPRODUCTION OF THIS SPECIES:
The breeding season occurs between November and March.
The Many-colored Chaco-Finch may nest on the ground, in bushes, scrubs or low branch, usually between 20 and 120 centimetres above the ground.
The cup-shaped nest is built by the female with grass, fibres and twigs, and lined with some feathers and plant fibres. It is well concealed among the low vegetation.

The female lays 3-5 white eggs with dark markings. She incubates during 12-13 days. Both parents feed the chicks with insects. They leave the nest about one week later.
The nest of this species is often parasitized by the Shiny Cowbird.

PROTECTION / THREATS / STATUS:
The Many-colored Chaco-Finch is common to abundant in its range in Chaco habitat. This species is not currently threatened.